Sen. Melissa Ratcliff

Maddy summarySenate Bill 217 modifies the process for individuals seeking to change their name. This bill specifically removes the requirement for public publication of a name change petition if the petitioner is seeking to conform their name with their gender identity. Currently, courts can require public notice unless a petitioner demonstrates potential danger from publication and confirms they are not avoiding debt or a criminal record. This change allows individuals to keep their name change petition confidential when it aligns with their gender identity, provided they meet other existing criteria.

Maddy summarySJR 15 is a symbolic resolution passed by the Wisconsin State Legislature expressing disapproval of pardons and sentence commutations granted to individuals convicted of assaulting U.S. Capitol Police officers during the January 6, 2021, attack. It specifically condemns President Trump's 2025 actions pardoning or commuting sentences for those involved in violent assaults against law enforcement. The resolution states the legislature believes such individuals should be held accountable and aligns with support from police organizations. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or directly affect anyone but formally records the legislature's position.

Maddy summarySJR 12 designates the month of March as Endosalpingiosis Awareness Month in Wisconsin. This resolution aims to increase public understanding of Endosalpingiosis, a rare disease primarily affecting women, and support those impacted by it.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 174 establishes state regulations for health plans regarding preexisting conditions and benefit limits. It would prevent individual and group health plans from denying coverage or imposing exclusions based on an individual's preexisting health condition. The bill also prohibits lifetime and annual dollar limits on benefits and sets rules for how premium rates can vary for individual and small employer plans. These provisions would only take effect if federal Affordable Care Act regulations related to these issues are no longer enforceable or preempt state law.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 223 aims to expand anti-discrimination protections within the state. It proposes to add "gender identity," "gender expression," and "sexual orientation" to the list of characteristics protected by state law. The bill amends numerous statutes to prohibit discrimination based on these categories across various sectors, including employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and insurance coverage. It also extends these protections to areas such as the National Guard, jury duty, and adoption processes.

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 38 proposes an advisory referendum for Wisconsin voters during the November 2026 general election. The referendum asks voters if they support a U.S. Constitutional amendment to address the Citizens United decision. This proposed amendment would state that only human beings are endowed with constitutional rights, not corporations or other artificial entities. It would also declare that money is not speech, allowing for limits on political contributions and spending. The results of this vote would be advisory, intended to guide Wisconsin's congressional delegation and state legislature on supporting and ratifying such an amendment.

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 39 declares May 2025 as Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month in Wisconsin. The resolution encourages citizens to observe this month to raise awareness among both the general public and medical professionals about these inherited connective tissue disorders.

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 37 (SJR 37) proposes to amend the Wisconsin Constitution by creating a new section that establishes a right to a clean, safe, and healthy natural environment. This constitutional right would apply to all people in the state, including future generations, and specifically mentions clean water, air, healthy soils, and a stable climate. The proposed amendment dictates that these rights shall never be infringed, be subject to strict scrutiny in court, and be protected equitably across all communities. Additionally, it designates the state as a trustee responsible for protecting Wisconsin's natural resources for its citizens.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 119 proposes to increase the staffing for the Department of Justice's Office of School Safety. The bill authorizes an additional 14.2 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions for the department. These new positions, funded by general purpose revenue, are specifically intended to support and enhance school safety initiatives. The increase in staff is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 63 proposes to enact the Driver License Compact into state law. This compact aims to improve highway safety by promoting compliance with motor vehicle laws across participating states. It requires states to share information about convictions for traffic offenses, allowing a driver's home state to give the same effect to certain serious out-of-state violations (like OWI or vehicular manslaughter) as if they occurred locally. The bill also prevents individuals from obtaining a new license in a different compact state while their license is suspended or revoked in another.